PETALING JAYA: Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy has hit out at Najib Razak over the issue of paying Kedah for water, questioning the former prime minister’s knowledge on the state’s right to use water from a river.
This, after Najib waded into the debate on whether Penang should pay Kedah for raw water sparked by its protests against mining plans in Ulu Muda, Kedah which serves as a water catchment for the state, Penang and Perlis.
Last week, Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor demanded that Penang pay RM50 million every year to Kedah as compensation for drawing raw water from its side of the border.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow rebuffed this demand.
Najib had said it was not unreasonable for Penang to compensate Kedah, pointing out that Melaka and Selangor also paid Pahang for their supply of raw water.
In a statement, Ramasamy said Najib does not understand the Riparian water rights concept in which a landowner has a right to use water from a river that borders the land.
“Only when these states share common waterways in the form of rivers or otters they are entitled to a stake in the water system,” he said.
In Melaka and Selangor’s case, Ramasamy said they had to pay Pahang for water because of the costs incurred to transport and treat water, and because they do not enjoy Riparian rights.
Ramasamy said this was different from Penang which drew 80% of its water from Sungai Muda which has origins in Ulu Muda and serves as a boundary marker for the two states.
“In other words, Penang is entitled to draw upon water from its side, just as Kedah can use water from its side.
“So what is Najib talking about?” he asked, adding Najib should be aware of the Riparian rights concept.
He also hit out at Putrajaya for keeping silent on the ongoing debate.